My Queen

Double Take

Malinda Williams’s mom, Beverly, could easily pass for her sister as the two share a tender moment at her New Jersey bridal shower last August.

Photo by Courtesy of Malinda Williams

Sweet Inheritance

16/44

Niecy Nash’s mom, Margaret Ensley, passed on her big grin and stylish ways to her daughter.

Photo by Courtesy of Niecy Nash

No. 1 Fan

17/44

Sean “Diddy” Combs continues to maintain a close relationship with mom, Janice Combs. She raised the entertainment mogul as a single mom, after his father passed away.

Photo by Getty Image

Letting Go

18/44

Tasha Smith and her mother, Monique, have renewed their relationship since her childhood, when her mother was once battling a drug addiction. Tasha encourages others to let go of the past and cherish the time you have with loved ones.

Photo by Courtesy of Tasha Smith

My First Love

19/44

Before he married wife Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon’s red-carpet partner-in-crime was mom Beth Hackett. The two continue to share a special bond, as Nick begins a family of his own.

Photo by Getty Image

Solid as a Rock

20/44

Chris Rock continues to credit mother Rose with pushing him to be his best. She shared her secrets to raising three well-balanced children in the book, “Mama Rock’s Rules: Ten Lessons for Raising a Houseful of Successful Children.”

Photo by Getty Image

Passing the Torch

“Every day is a new experience with my daughter so I am constantly learning and trying to figure out motherhood,” Arnold tells ESSENCE.com. “It keeps me on my toes. It is a humbling, scary but exciting experience. I’m loving the ride.”

Photo by Getty Image

Open My Heart

22/44

Singer Yolanda Adams is rarely seen without daughter Taylor by her side. The gospel singer has seamlessly merged her life as an entertainer with motherhood.

A Friend in You

36/44

Now that a few famous faces have saluted their mothers, everyday women show their love as well:

“My sister, my BEST friend, my source of strength—this is my mother! I am so grateful to have the most genuine, thoughtful, caring, creative, brilliant, spiritual, and fun mother in the world. She truly is my other half! Thank you for showing me the world. Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy!!”—Sage Garner, 22 with her mother, Toni Garner, 54, Brooklyn, New York

Mom to the Masses

37/44

“There aren’t words to describe the woman that I am blessed to call MOM! She is generous, caring, compassionate, funny, wise, the list could go on and on. She has an amazing spirit that touches everyone around her. Although I am her only child, she has been a mother to so many!”

America's Next Top Mom

38/44

“My mom will be 50 years old on May 21! I’m so pleased to give her the greatest gift she’s ever wanted. I am handing her my college diploma on May 8! She has worked so hard to get me where I am today and I am elated to show her that all her hard work was well worth it. In having a great support system like my mom, I was able to accomplish so many things through her prayers, motivation, and words of encouragement. For that I thank her and I will forever be indebted. I love you, Mom, and Happy Mothers Day!”

Isn't She Lovely?

39/44

“We bought her that yellow dress she is wearing two years ago for Mother’s Day; isn’t she lovely? We love her intelligence, time and the values that she has placed in us about family and hard work. Mom has achieved big goals in her life: she’s a doctor and she has her own private practice in New Orleans. My brother Justin is a Stanford University alumni and I’m a Morehouse man. Mom is a shining example of how hard work pays off.”—Lawliss Turner, 26 (left) and brother Justin Turner, 24, with their mother Cecily Turner,
New Orleans

A Selfless Mother

40/44

“My mom is truly the greatest; not only because of what she sacrifices for her family, but also because of all that she selflessly does for others. A loving, generous, wise woman. I love her with all my heart.”

Baby of the Bunch

41/44

“I am the baby and only girl with three brothers. Our mother, Linda R. Pemberton is such a humble and loving person. She has always been so supportive and a giver, even when she didn’t have it to give. We almost lost her in January 2005. The doctors called us all in and informed us that ‘we’ve done all we could do.’ Our Father above had another plan and he brought her through and she now lives with me and my husband. As well as she took care of us growing up, we now in return take good care of her. We thank God for her.”

On the Move

42/44

“What makes my mom so special is her drive. Her faith in God is so strong you would think that God lives with her. Last Friday she just lost her job after being with the company 18 years and you would think that she would be depressed. No! Not my mom, she had an interview on Tuesday. I think it’s her steady faith that keeps her strong and for that I love her.”

A Mother's Prayer

43/44

“As the chief in the village that raised me, my mother showed me what refined and reflective womanhood looked like as I grew up. She is a praying woman who let me know that God has the final say in all we do and we must humble ourselves to Him. I am grateful for her example that we should seek to be spiritual, educated, cultured, and social simultaneously.”